Calabasas, CA – August 14, 2025 — The Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority (MRCA) today announced that in addition to  the investigation already being led by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, the highly respected municipal law firm Richards Watson and Gershon will lead a rigorous investigation into the conditions that preceded the failure of a valley oak tree at a summer camp held at the popular open space park this past July.

In addition to combing through documents, and conducting wide-ranging interviews of employees, participants, suppliers, and natural resource management specialists, the investigators will focus on policies and procedures as well as the oak tree itself.

“This tragedy is heartbreaking,” said Joseph T. Edmiston, FAICP, Executive Officer of the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority. “We are working with the investigators in conducting a comprehensive, top-to-bottom investigation into how this happened and how we can ensure it never happens again.”

“To the victims and their families, I am profoundly sorry,” Edmiston continued. “The MRCA is committed to restoring public trust, maintaining transparency, and implementing all necessary changes to prevent any such tragedy in the future.”

Contact:  Rob Wilcox robwilcoxpr@gmail.com  or (916) 396-0400

LOS ANGELES  — Mike Feuer, former Los Angeles City Attorney and veteran lawmaker, today warned that basic rights of all Americans could be in jeopardy if the Supreme Court accepts the Trump Administration’s call to intervene in a lower court case challenging ICE sweeps.

“Once, the Supreme Court would have been a bulwark against masked agents of the state snatching residents off American streets because of the color of their skin.  But time and again, this Court has enabled Trump to act with impunity in ways no previous president could have imagined,” said Feuer.  “The Court’s response to ICE’s flagrant violations could define fundamental rights of all of us for years to come.”  

Feuer noted the dramatic increase by the Court’s conservative majority in the use of the so-called shadow docket, through which major rulings have been issued without full briefing, oral argument, or even a meaningful explanation.  He warned that the Court majority could use that tactic again in this case.  Feuer stated this trend is especially troubling given that since May, lower courts have ruled against the Administration more than 94% of the time, while the Supreme Court has ruled for Trump nearly 94% of the time, according to a recent analysis by a Stanford political scientist.

Feuer pointed out the irony that a Trump Administration spokesperson derided the “unelected” federal judge who had enjoined ICE from racial profiling and purportedly “undermined the will of the American people” even as the Administration sought a ruling from a Supreme Court of unelected justices, one third of whom Trump appointed.  “By the way,” Feuer noted, “most Americans oppose Trump’s immigration methods” according to a Gallup poll.

Underscoring the importance of cities and states maintaining their commitment to protect immigrant communities in the face of federal overreach, Feuer praised the actions of Governor Gavin Newsom and L.A. Mayor Karen Bass.  “Governor Newsom and Mayor Bass have demonstrated the power of standing up and standing together. Their swift challenges to the federal government’s ICE raids and National Guard deployment are inspiring examples of leadership in the face of assaults on some of our most basic values.”

During his tenure as Los Angeles City Attorney, Feuer was a leader in multiple legal battles against the first Trump Administration, winning a national injunction preventing the Administration from effectively requiring police officers to become immigration enforcers as a condition of federal public safety grants, and working with national coalitions on cases pushing back on Administration’s attacks on DACA, Temporary Protected Status, the Census, environmental protections and more.

Mike Feuer is available for interviews.  

Contact: Rob Wilcox (916) 396-0400 or Robwilcoxpr@gmail.com

Los Angeles, Monday, August 4, 2025– Jeanne Raya, one of the former Chairs of California’s first Independent Redistricting Commission, is urging Governor Gavin Newsom and Democratic lawmakers to proceed with caution before attempting to dismantle California’s voter-approved redistricting process. Her warning follows reports that the Governor is considering a special election this November to grant the Legislature power to redraw political boundaries.

“The solution to winning elections is not to manipulate the rules in favor of political parties, incumbents, or special interests,” said Raya. “Voters overwhelmingly demanded an end to backroom political gerrymandering when they created the Independent Redistricting Commission in 2008. That mandate still stands.”

Governor Newsom’s proposal appears to be a response to aggressive partisan redistricting efforts by Republicans in states like Texas. But Raya, a Democrat, small business owner, and lifelong resident of San Gabriel, believes California should lead by example—not follow the same partisan playbook.

“I am deeply troubled by the Trump Administration’s and Texas Republicans’ efforts to rig the system,” she said. “But the answer is not for Democrats to do the same. Californians—Democrats, Republicans, and independents—should all stand against any attempt to politicize our redistricting process.”

Raya also criticized the proposed special election’s financial impact at a time when California is facing a significant budget deficit. “It is irresponsible to spend tens of millions of taxpayer dollars to undo a system voters already approved—especially when those resources are needed elsewhere.”

She concluded with a direct call to action: “I urge Governor Newsom and legislative leaders to respect the will of the people. The Independent Redistricting Commission is one of California’s most important democratic reforms, and it must not be sacrificed for short-term political gain.”

The first California independent drawing of legislative and congressional district received overwhelming support from good government groups, newspaper endorsements and the public. The 2011 maps were challenged in court and upheld by the California Supreme Court.

Media Contact: Rob Wilcox  robwilcoxpr@gmail.com or (916) 396-0400